One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them - (Discovery Chronicles) by Loree Burns (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"This engaging STEM offering has applications that cross curricular areas, provides accessible models of how scientific inquiry works, and introduces a couple of pretty cool scientists as well as a plethora of caterpillars." --Booklist (starred review)

This is a story about remarkable creatures, inquisitive people, and fascinating conversations. The creatures? Pine processionary caterpillars with mysterious group habits. The people? Jean Henri Fabre and, many years later, Terrence Fitzgerald--scientists with big questions about the behavior of these caterpillars. And the conversations? The conversations span lifetimes, as one researcher continues a dialogue started by the other. In this playful, candid, and accessible book for young readers, biologist Loree Griffin Burns captures the unique leader-follower behavior of pine processionary caterpillars through a glimpse into the "ask, test, repeat" nature of the scientific process--and shows how that process creates one long line of questioning and learning. Back matter includes more details about the two scientists as well as a glossary, bibliography, source notes, and suggestions for further reading.

Review Quotes

The text is particularly engaging, and is supported by numerous sidebars, illustrations, and rich back matter that will be extremely helpful for report writers. This engaging STEM offering has applications that cross curricular areas, provides accessible models of how scientific inquiry works, and introduces a couple of pretty cool scientists as well as a plethora of caterpillars.
--Booklist (starred review)

Inquiry shapes this creative biological glimpse into the lives of marching caterpillars and two scientists who dedicated their studies to them. . . . Green's remarkable art adds heart to this shared experience of two men with a great passion, and their choice to formulate sketches is reminiscent of a scientific catalog. . . . Burns's writing style invites readers in to a compelling narrative of wonder and discovery; this is a first purchase.
--School Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Loree Griffin Burns is a biologist and the author of many nonfiction books for children, including Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama, illustrated by Ellen Harasimowicz, and Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island. Her books have won many accolades, including American Library Association Notable designations, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, an International Reading Association Children's Book Award, a Green Earth Book Award, and two AAAS/Subaru Prizes for Excellence in Science Books. She lives in central New England, where she writes, teaches, and studies her insect neighbors.

Jamie Green is the illustrator of multiple books for young readers, including Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmerman, and was named the Society of Illustrators Zankel Scholar in 2019. Their work explores the natural world, along with themes of human connection, travel, history, and movement. Jamie Green lives in Greenville, South Carolina, and can often be found either in the corner of a café or on trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.